System and apparatus for improved turbine pressure and pressure drop control

ABSTRACT

A system for improved power generation through movement of water having a turbine with a generally cylindrical housing, where the turbine is positioned to receive kinetic energy from moving water, and a member positioned circumferentially about the housing for inducing a pressure drop across the turbine. The member may be a rotating blade, cantilevered duct, circumferential flange, radial eductor, and air tube for injection of ambient air into said water source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/920,255, filed on Mar. 27, 2007, which is incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of hydroelectric power and more specifically to a system and apparatus for improved turbine pressure and pressure drop control.

There are a variety of prior art systems for increasing power through conventional turbines. None of these patents shows the innovative combination of the present invention and its use of various enhancements to control pressure drop at the rotating turbine. This invention works with both horizontal and vertical axis hydrokinetic turbines.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary advantage of the invention is to provide improved turbine throughput from higher velocity than ambient conditions.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide improved enhancements to turbine flow properties.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide eductors or ejectors to enhance turbine flow characteristics.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide counter rotating members to enhance turbine flow characteristics.

Another advantage of the invention is to efficiently increase velocity through a turbine and have the greatest impact on power output.

The present invention accomplishes the foregoing objects by incorporating in a hydrokinetic turbine installation a variety of mechanisms and devices to modify water flow and increase the pressure drop between the inducted water flow and the outflow across a hydrokinetic turbine, thus increasing water velocity and hence increase energy produced by the hydrokinetic turbine installation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a system for improved power generation through movement of water having a turbine with a generally cylindrical housing (also called a runner), where the turbine is positioned to receive kinetic energy from moving water, and has a member positioned circumferentially about the runner for inducing a pressure drop, swirl or vortex across the turbine

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows a side cross sectional view of a stationary or rotating exterior blade mounted on a turbine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B shows a longitudinal elevation view of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a side cross sectional view of a cantilevered system in front of or behind the turbine unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal elevation view of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of a circumferential fixed flange about a turbine that creates turbulence in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B shows a longitudinal elevation view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A shows a side cross sectional view of a radial eductor positioned about the circumference of the turbine housing to create turbulence in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal elevation view of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A shows a side cross sectional view of a turbine having an air inlet that directs into the stream of flow through the input side of the turbine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B shows a longitudinal elevation view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a cross sectional view of a front ejector about the circumference of the turbine housing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B shows a cross sectional view of a rear ejector about the circumference of the turbine housing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method to control pressure drop for current based hydro kinetic devices for generating power in stand alone or array based structures in ocean currents, tidal currents, river currents, canals, conduits, and aqueducts that significantly enhance power generation versus non ducted and simple ducted (single or double) devices. Within those structures the primary objective to increase power output in a hydrokinetic current based system is by controlling pressure drop across the whole device or specifically sections/areas of the device. By controlling pressure drop one can increase velocity relative to the ambient velocity which has the highest impact on increased power output.

This can be done in a number of ways according to the invention. Aerofoils (hydrofoils) around the rotating turbine, slip streams, nested sets of ducts, or bubbling upstream or downstream components which may or may not rotate to modify pressure drop (velocity) at the rotating turbine will achieve some of the benefits of the present invention. Alternatively, one can use eductors, ejectors or counter rotating members to enhance velocity and thus increase power. In yet another embodiment, a nested set of counter rotating elements can also help increase velocity both in axial shaft and shaftless (circumferential generator) also called permanent magnet or magnetically levitated designs.

In its operation, the hydrokinetic turbine installation of the present invention converts the kinetic energy in a current into usable power. Traditional hydroelectric turbine/generator systems installed using dammed water sources convert potential energy into usable power. More particularly, water flow from undammed sources that has the water flow characteristics modified, i.e. water flow pressure drop is modified to increase velocity across a hydrokinetic turbine installation to increase energy production further. The present invention can also be applied at an existing hydroelectric facility.

The present invention deals specifically with provisions for a stationary or rotating or counterrotating exterior blade about a hydrokinetic turbine to increase the pressure drop across the turbine, the desired result being that the turbine is enabled to operate using higher water velocity relative to the ambient, substantially increasing power production and enabling individual elements operating near the modes of their peak efficiencies.

Turning now to FIG. 1A, there is shown in side cross section a stationary or rotating exterior blade 10 circumferentially mounted on housing 16 about turbine 12. Blade 10 induces a swirl or vortex that increases flow across the turbine 12, thereby increasing velocity of water 14 across turbine 12 as the water pressure drop increases. Blade 10 may also be counter rotating depending on the flow characteristics that are desired. FIG. 1B shows a cross sectional longitudinal view of the system where blade 10 may also be fixed but positioned in such a way as to lower pressure on the output side and create turbulence, swirl, a vortex or other flow features further increasing velocity. As blade 10 rotates, a pressure drop is achieved around turbine 12 thus increasing velocity 14 through turbine 12. Blade 10 can also be fixed, acting like vanes to induce a vortex which can increase velocity 14 and thus power output.

FIG. 2A shows a side cross section of a cantilevered system 20 for guiding water flow behind turbine 26 and turbine unit housing 22. FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal front view of the same system is shown on the front side of turbine 26. In either configuration with the cantilevered system being placed in front of or behind the turbine 26, the added duct 24 operates to increase velocity 28 through turbine 26 and achieve the benefits of the present invention. In an alternative preferred embodiment the water flow and velocity 28 is reversed with cantilevered system 20 and duct 24 guiding the water flow into turbine 26. The position of the cantilevered system 20 can be such that the vertical cross section of the end of the cantilevered system 20 is in front or behind the vertical cross section of the end of the duct/housing 22 relative to the direction of flow. In another embodiment, the vertical cross section of the end of the cantilevered system 20 can be inside the vertical cross section of the end of the duct/housing 22 relative to the direction of flow.

FIG. 3A shows a circumferential fixed flange 30 with an angle relative to the horizontal housing greater than 20 degrees about turbine 36 that creates turbulence 32 and thus pressure drop which in turn enhances velocity through turbine 36 and increases power output. FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional longitudinal view of turbine 36 turbine housing 34 and flange 30. In an alternative preferred embodiment, flange 30 may also have freedom of movement for rotation 38 either clockwise or counterclockwise about turbine 36.

FIG. 4A shows a side cross section view of a radial eductor 40 positioned about the circumference of turbine housing 42 to create and control pressure drops thus increasing velocity 49 and thereby increasing power output. FIG. 4B shows a cross sectional longitudinal view of radial eductor 40 which has an opening inlet 44 on input side of turbine 48 and an exit outlet 46 on the output side of turbine 48 and turbine housing 42.

FIG. 5A shows a side cross sectional view of turbine 58 and turbine housing 56 having an air tube system comprising an air tube 50, air inlet 52 and air outlet 59 that directs air into the water flow through the input side of the turbine 58 to affect the flow characteristics of turbine 58 and increase velocity 52. FIG. 5B shows a cross sectional longitudinal view of turbine 54 with air inlet 56 to direct air into the water flow to increase velocity 68 and thus energy for extraction by turbine 54.

FIG. 6A shows in a cross sectional view a front ejector 60 about the circumference of turbine housing 62 and turbine 64 to decrease pressure across turbine blade 64 and thus increase velocity 68 and power output.

FIG. 6B show in a cross sectional view a rear ejector 66 about turbine 64 and the circumference of turbine housing 68, rear ejector 66 injecting water flow to decrease pressure across turbine blade 69 and thus increase velocity and power output.

While the invention has been described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A system for improved power generation through movement of water comprising: A turbine having a generally cylindrical housing, where said turbine is positioned to receive kinetic energy from moving water; and A member positioned circumferentially about said housing for inducing a pressure drop, swirl or vortex across and or downstream of said turbine.
 2. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: Said member for inducing pressure drop having a generally cylindrical housing for mounting a circumferential rotating blade, said circumferential rotating blade inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 3. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: Said member for inducing pressure drop having a generally cylindrical housing for mounting a circumferential stationary blade, said circumferential stationary blade inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 4. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: Said hydrokinetic turbine system further comprising one or more rotating or counterrotating blades rotating about said housing producing a pressure drop across said source of moving water.
 5. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A cantilevered duct for guiding said source of moving water into said turbine inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 6. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A cantilevered duct for guiding said source of moving water out of said turbine inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 7. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A generally circumferential flange fixable attached to said housing inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 8. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A radial eductor fixably attached to said housing inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 9. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: An air tube for injection of ambient air into said water source into said turbine inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 10. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: An air tube for injection of ambient air into said water source downstream from said turbine inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 11. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A front ejector integral to said housing inducing a pressure drop across said turbine.
 12. A system for improved power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: A rear ejector integral to said housing inducing a pressure drop across said turbine. 